Samsung's latest S Pen, featured in the Galaxy S22 Ultra and S23 Ultra, has a noticeable unpleasant odor due to a new rubbery coating, unlike the odorless S Pen of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. The scent, described as similar to playground mulch or burning plastic, is a result of the new material used in the stylus. While the smell is not noticeable in normal use, it has been a topic of discussion among users.
Samsung is urging Galaxy Note owners to upgrade to the newly released Galaxy S24 Ultra, citing the aging of the Note phablet and the advancements in chipsets and cameras. While the Galaxy S24 Ultra offers improved performance and AI features, its high price may give some Note owners pause. An alternative option, the Galaxy S24 Plus, shares many features with the Ultra at a lower cost, making the decision less clear-cut.
Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 5 is proving to be more than twice as popular as the Z Fold 5 in Europe, contributing to the decline of the Galaxy Note series. The Z Flip 5's Graphite and Mint colors are the top-selling options, while the Z Fold 5's Phantom Black and Icy Blue are also successful. Samsung aims to ship 10 million foldable devices this year, surpassing the 2022 sales of 10.7 million units. Despite criticism, the Z Flip 5 and Z Fold 5 have exceeded the early sales record of their predecessors in Europe.
Samsung's mobile chief, T.M. Roh, stated that sales of foldable phones are almost on par with those of the popular Galaxy Note, indicating that foldables are gaining traction. While shipments of foldable phones still lag behind regular smartphones, the market is growing, with estimates suggesting worldwide shipments could reach 21.4 million units in 2023. Samsung hopes to surpass Galaxy Note sales with its newly announced Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5. The company faces increased competition in the foldable phone space, but Roh sees it as a positive, believing that competition will expand the market and bring better value to consumers. Samsung is working on making foldables more accessible by reducing prices, but it remains challenging due to material costs and market demand. The company showcased various concept devices at CES, hinting at more products and technologies in the pipeline.
